Three people were injured in a crash involving two trucks south of Maricopa this afternoon. 

Around noon, two pickup trucks collided in the southbound lanes of State Route 347 at Papago Road, causing significant damage to both vehicles and sending one into the median with airbags deployed. Debris was scattered throughout the road.

Three people were transported to a local hospital for injuries, but the “extent of injuries is unclear,” said Arizona Department of Public Safety Sgt. Kameron Lee. None appeared life-threatening, she said.

Southbound traffic is expected to be restricted to one lane for removal and cleanup until 1:30 p.m., Lee said. The left turn lane on northbound SR 347 is also restricted until the vehicles are cleared from the road. 

The intersection has been the site of multiple devastating crashes in recent months. This fall, officials installed flashing red bulbs around a large new stop sign at the east end of Papago Road, along with a new dashed yellow turn line for drivers turning left onto northbound State Route 347. Collisions have persisted.

These crashes are part of what we’ve dubbed the Papago Road Paradox: It is the most desperately needed traffic light in Maricopa (since this one activated last year), yet no signal may be built here until after tens of thousands of new residents move in.